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President Hayes studied Thomas Stansfield from across the smooth conference table of the White House Situation Room. The director of the Central Intelligence Agency was literally a shadow of his former self. He was rail thin, his face completely emaciated from the ravages of cancer. Neither of them had called this meeting. Someone else had. Someone who shared their secrets. Someone who sounded very concerned. While they waited for him to arrive, Stansfield took the opportunity to discuss a few things with the president. It was seven in the evening on Thursday, and it had been a very long day for the director. Since finding out that Peter Cameron was dead, Stansfield had struggled to find a link beyond the deceased man to the person or people who had employed him. Stansfield filled the president in on what had happened earlier in the day. He told him that Kennedy, Rapp, and several others were working feverishly to find out who the power was behind Cameron.
Stansfield had his enemies, certainly not the ones in Washington, but he had them. The ones he knew he did not fear. It was the ones he did not know who worried him. They all, though, had one thing in common. They wanted to succeed, and not just in small ways but by obtaining real power, the type of power wielded by the elite of Washington. For politicians, it meant chairing one of the more powerful committees or being the next secretary of state or defense, or even the pr
esidency—the ultimate exclusive club. For bureaucrats, it was a job as an undersecretary in one of the big departments or a senior aide to the president—maybe even chief of staff. For the military officers, it could range from any one of a dozen prestigious commands, to being placed in charge of one of the branches of the armed forces, to taking the top spot of chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
These men and women roamed the back passages of Washington, and most of them were no more dangerous than their peers in corporate America. They were what he would call fairly harmless plotters, groups of people working together to further their careers. Experience had taught Stansfield, though, that there were always a few willing to use extraordinary measures to achieve their goals, a few who were willing to kill if need be.
One of these groups was obviously on the move, and their target appeared to be the CIA. Stansfield had yet to share these thoughts with anyone. He would wait to hear what their visitor had to say before he would draw any further conclusions. It was disheartening for him to have worked so tirelessly to ensure the neutrality and stability of his beloved Agency and then now, when he barely had the strength to fight, to find out that he was under an assault by a group that he could not identify. He could not allow the CIA to fall into the hands of someone who might use its vast resources for political or personal gain. He had to make sure that Irene Kennedy succeeded him and that she was armed with the knowledge to defend herself.
The CIA was too powerful a weapon to let fall into the wrong hands. The president would nominate Irene Kennedy, and he would use all of his political skill and clout to make sure she was confirmed. Hayes had many reasons for agreeing to this, despite the missteps of the last week. First off, Kennedy was more than qualified, and secondly he trusted her. This led to the third and maybe most important reason as far as the president was concerned. He needed his flank protected. With Kennedy at the helm of the CIA, he wouldn’t have to worry about any aggression coming from that direction.
As much as both men wanted Kennedy to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the man they were about to meet with had as much or even more say in whether or not that happened. The fact that he had asked to see them during the middle of this Peter Cameron problem was slightly unsettling.
Senator Hank Clark entered the Situation Room, and the president stood to shake his hand. When Stansfield tried to stand, Clark put a firm but comforting hand on his shoulder and said, “Now, Thomas, you just stay right there. A living legend like yourself doesn’t need to get up for me.”
The president smiled and winked at Clark, approving of his gesture. “Would you like anything to drink, Hank?”
“No thanks, Robert.” Clark and Hayes had served in the Senate together for two full terms. Hayes was on the Intelligence Committee when Clark was named chairman. Hayes preferred to be called by his first name when they were alone like this.
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble at all.”
“No, I’m fine. I might need one when we’re done, but until then, I think I’ll lay off the stuff.”
“All right.” The president gestured to a chair on the other side of the table from Stansfield.
Clark walked slowly around the table and unbuttoned his suit coat before he sat. Looking across the table, he asked, “Thomas, how are you doing?”
“I’m dying.”
Clark grinned. “We’re all dying, Thomas.” Clark glanced at the president. “Aren’t we, Robert?”
“That’s right. But not all of us have led a life like Thomas’s.”
“No. In fact, I would say that very few have led a life like Thomas’s. This country owes you a great debt.”
Stansfield seemed to soak the words in for a second and then said, “Thank you, Senator Clark.”
Clark laughed at the formal use of his name. “Will I ever hear you call me Hank before you leave this world?”
The corners of Stansfield’s mouth turned up ever so slightly. “No.”
“I didn’t think so.” Clark clasped his hands together, and his mood seemed to darken.
The president noticed this and asked, “What’s bothering you, Hank?”
Clark didn’t respond at first, and then, glancing sideways at the president, he said, “Robert, we’ve always been able to cut through the crap and talk straight to each other.” The president nodded. “We served on the Intelligence Committee together for years, and I always respected the fact that you put national security issues above party politics.”
“And I’ve always respected you for doing the same.”
“Thank you. I would like your word that you will handle what I’m about to tell you with discretion. Especially with reference to where you heard it.”
The president’s curiosity had been piqued by the request. “You have my word.”
“I am very concerned about what is going to happen with the CIA when Thomas leaves us.” Clark looked at Stansfield. “I think I know who you have chosen as your successor, and I approve. I think Dr. Kennedy is one of the best candidates for the job. And more importantly, if Thomas thinks she’s the best person, you will have my full support during her confirmation hearing.”
Stansfield was relieved. Clark’s support of a Kennedy nomination was crucial. As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he was the key to getting someone through the confirmation process.
“I am very pleased to hear this,” said the president. No amateur in the art of politics, Hayes was waiting for the standard tit-for-tat request. “What is it that you seek for this cooperation?”
